Tahlequah Man Pleads Guilty To Arson

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that John Cole Haeberle, age 23, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to Arson, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i), punishable by not less than 5 years to not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.

The Indictment alleged that from on or about February 24, 2020, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, maliciously damaged and destroyed, and attempted to damage and destroy, by means of fire and explosive materials, a building which was used in any activity affecting interstate commerce, to-wit: the Garden Walk Apartments located at 18106 W. 794 Road, APT 40B, Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.

Assistant United States Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States at the change of plea hearing.